“Katie, you must be in heaven here. Lookat all the Elvis impersonators walking around.”
“Oh my gosh, Annie, I am. But thereusually aren’t this many Elvis’ roaming around. It’s Elvis week.”
“I’m surprised you’ve never dressed up asElvis.” Jill laughs.
It’s kind of funny. If she only knewabout the costume hidden in the back of my closet, the laugh would be on her. Ihave that costume saved for someone special.
I’m shaken from my thoughts when Annierounds on Jill. “You know, Jill, I’m officially tired of all your insults. I’msurprised Kate hasn’t throttled you yet.”
“What? That’s how Katie and I aretogether.” She turns to me. “Right?”
I just stare at her. Wrong. I haven’tsaid one negative thing to her since she got here. Nor do I usually. If therewas ever a time to put her in her place, now would be it. Without my mother ormy husband watching. But I promised Cole I’d keep my emotions in check, and Idon’t want to disappoint him. I just give Jill a weak smile and shrug.
“See, I knew we were good.”
Annie scoffs. “I can see you’re back toyour old self, Kate.”
Laura gives me a slight nudge and agracious smile, telling me it’s okay, she has my back, and I smile at her. Butother than that, no one says anything else the rest of the way.
Keaton pulls around the entrance, followingthe Limo with the old folks. Once we’re stopped, Morgan gets out, opening thedoor. “Mrs. Holt, if you’ll wait here for a moment. Dane is going to let therestaurant know you’ve arrived.”
“Jeez-Louise, Kate. You’d think you’reroyalty or something,” Jill chides. “Ouch. Annie, what was that for?”
“What did she do?” Laura asks.
“She pinched me.”
“You know very well what it was for. Benice.” Annie crosses her arms, looking annoyed. Jill sits back giving a humph.Maybe now Jill will stop giving me a hard time. She totally deserved thatpinch.
“Okay,” Morgan holds out his hand,ushering us. “Right this way, ladies.”
Morgan follows me in and everyone trailsbehind him. A tall woman with long black hair and blunt bangs gives me a bigsmile and waves me over eagerly. “Mrs. Holt. Welcome, please follow me.”
I follow her over to a very large ovalbooth. My eyes get wide. “Will this be big enough?”
“This table seats twenty nicely and Ihave fourteen in your group, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.” I give her a halfsmile. But that’s not what my look of bewilderment is for. Really, it’s that Idon’t want to be caught sitting in the middle of it, trapped. I stand to theside and let Kathy, my mom, Jill, and Annie slide in. Alan helps my grandmotherto the other side and then scoots in himself. Laura and I sit on the other end.
“Tonight’s our open mic night,” thehostess says as she places menus in front of each of us. “If you’ve got a voiceor are up for a good time, you can sign up over at that desk. We get a lot ofgreat Elvis impersonators that sing for us this time of year. I hope you enjoyyour evening.”
Ooh, I do love a good Elvis impersonator.I glance across the stage and see a few Elvis’ standing on the side.
“Mrs. Holt.” Morgan taps my arm. “Theother Mrs. Holt is here.”
I look up to see Olivia standing next toher own security guard. She looks flawless, as usual. She’s wearing a blackshort-sleeved wrap dress with her hair pulled high into a bun. I walk over toher. “Hello.” I feel like I’m approaching a frightened animal and I don’t knowwhether she is going to pounce on me, shy away, or start purring.
“Hello, Kate. How are you?”
“I’m well. Did Preston tell you that myfamily is visiting?”
“He did.”
“I’m guessing since he’s absent, he’s atthe same meeting as Cole.”
“Men and their meetings.”
“I agree. Um—maybe.” I motion for her tofollow me up to the bar, and I get the bartenders’ attention.
